Technicians Support Services Training Package Development

The Technicians Support Services Industry Reference Committee (IRC) has responsibility for 16 qualifications packaged in the HLT Health Training Package.

The Technicians Support Services Industry Reference Committee (IRC) has responsibility for 16 qualifications packaged in the HLT Health Training Package. There are three projects currently under way for this IRC.

Cast Technology - Case for Change

The Technicians Support Services Industry Reference Committee (IRC) is responsible for ensuring that nationally recognised Qualifications deliver the skills and knowledge required to equip the sectors under its remit with a highly skilled workforce.

SkillsIQ, under the direction of the Technicians Support Services IRC, has prepared a Case for Change to develop a new Qualification and seven new Units of Competency in Cast Technology to address key issues relating to:

Nationally recognised Qualifications for Cast Technicians

The provision of skilled Cast Technicians with the appropriate knowledge and skills to cater to patients visiting hospitals and outpatient services.

The proposed Qualification will seek to ensure that Plaster/Cast Technicians (also known as Orthopaedic Technicians) have access to the appropriate skills and knowledge required to meet the current and future needs of the Australian health care system.

Industry representatives have consistently highlighted the fact that there are no current Training Package Products to meet their needs in this specialist area.

The proposed development of a new Qualification and seven new Units of Competency will seek to incorporate the required content to ensure that industry has access to skilled Cast Technicians to meet the current and future needs of the Australian health care system.

Proposed New Training Package Products:

Certificate IV in Cast Technology

Seven new Units of Competency

Clinical Coding - Case for Change

The Technicians Support Services Industry Reference Committee (IRC) is responsible for ensuring that nationally recognised qualifications deliver the skills and knowledge required to equip the sectors under its remit with a highly skilled workforce.

SkillsIQ, under the direction of the Technicians Support Services IRC, has prepared a Case for Change to update three Units of Competency and one Skill Set, and to develop a new Qualification and seven new Units of Competency in Clinical Coding to address key issues relating to:

Qualification outcomes, including industry concern regarding the level and strength of skills and knowledge contained within individual Units of Competency and their associated Assessment Requirements;

The availability of appropriate training to meet the Knowledge Requirements for Clinical Coders; and

Pathways for Clinical Coders in Australia.

Coding is a key component of all admitted patient activity in hospitals and is integral to the operation of the health sector. The increased need for coders can be, in part, attributed to the implementation of activity-based funding, the ageing population, and the increase in chronic conditions and complexity which have led to an increase in admissions and therefore to a corresponding increase in hospitals' coding requirements.

Industry has consistently highlighted that the current Training Package Products are not meeting their needs. Access to a skilled workforce and Qualifications that support the delivery of the skills and knowledge as defined by industry is critical.

The proposed update of the following Units of Competency and Skill Set, together with the development of a new Qualification and seven new Units of Competency, will seek to incorporate the required changes to ensure that industry has access to skilled clinical coders to meet the current and future needs of the Australian health care system.

Existing Training Package Products

HLTADM005 Produce coded clinical data

HLTADM006 Undertake complex clinical coding

HLTADM007 Undertake highly complex clinical coding

HLTSS00048 Clinical Coding Skill Set.

Proposed New Training Package Products

Diploma of Clinical Coding

Clinical Coding Auditor Skill Set

Seven new Units of Competency (please see draft Case for Change for further detail).

Further information

Hospital Pharmacy Support - Case for Change

The Technicians Support Services Industry Reference Committee (IRC) is responsible for ensuring that nationally recognised qualifications deliver the skills and knowledge required to equip the sectors under its remit with a highly skilled workforce.

SkillsIQ, under the direction of the Technicians Support Services IRC and the Hospital Pharmacy Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), has prepared a Case for Change to update two Hospital Pharmacy qualifications in order to address a number of key issues relating to qualification outcomes, including industry concern regarding the level and strength of skills and knowledge contained within individual Units of Competency and their associated assessment requirements.

In 2016, the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) conducted a comprehensive workforce study into hospital pharmacy technicians and assistants. SHPA’s White Paper, titled Exploring the role of hospital pharmacy technicians and assistants to enhance the delivery of patient-centred care, showed that there is concern regarding the lack of a career structure for hospital pharmacy technicians/assistants in Australia.

Industry has consistently highlighted that the current training package products are not meeting their needs. Access to a skilled workforce and qualifications that support the delivery of the skills and knowledge as defined by industry is critical.

The proposed update of the following qualifications will seek to incorporate the required changes to ensure that industry has access to skilled pharmacy technicians and assistants to meet the current and future needs of the Australian health care system.

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SkillsIQ Limited acknowledges the financial support received by the Commonwealth to operate as a Skills Service Organisation. SkillsIQ Limited does not represent industry, the Commonwealth, or the Department of Education, Skills and Employment.

SkillsIQ would like to respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land and sea throughout Australia and extend that respect to Elders past and present. SkillsIQ also recognises those whose ongoing effort to protect and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures will leave a lasting legacy for future Elders and leaders.